Written Answers Friday 21 November 2008

Scottish Executive

Blood Donors

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S3W-14714 by Shona Robison on 22 July 2008, which NHS boards have at any time used funds from the better blood transfusion programme to acquire intra-operative cell salvage equipment.

Shona Robison: NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde used funding from the better blood transfusion programme in cell salvage projects in 2007-08. Information on the use of better blood transfusion lead clinician funds utilised directly by NHS boards is not held centrally.

Carers

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16720 by Shona Robison on 28 October 2008, whether the additional £4 million referred to was allocated from the £34 million that the UK Government made available for respite care for disabled children and, if so, whether the remaining £30 million will be used for respite care for disabled children.

Shona Robison: The £4 million referred to in question S3W-16720 has been identified from within existing Health Directorate budgets.

  Consequentials flowing from the UK Government’s announcement of an extra £340 million for disabled children were not hypothecated in anyway. The allocation of appropriate levels of support for disabled children and young people is a matter for local authorities. The flexibility introduced with national and single outcome agreements should help local authorities sustain and improve services for disabled children and their families, who will benefit from greater and more flexible resources flowing to local authorities. The Scottish Government will engage with COSLA through the single outcome agreement process to ensure better outcomes for disabled children and their families at a local level.

Children's Panels

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been provided for the children’s hearing system for each year from 2003-04 to the end of the current spending review period.

Adam Ingram: The level of funding provided to support the children’s hearings system is as follows:

  

 
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07


 
£000
£000
£000
£000


 SCRA Grant in Aid
 20,945
 22,570
 24,556
 25,307


 Support for Hearings and Committees
 288
 803
 564
 173


Training (e.g. Running costs for theFour Children’s Hearings Training Units)
 641
 683
 846
 613


 Legal Representation
 97
 135
 152
 126


 Direct Funding to Local Authorities1
 2,480
 2,289
 2,505
 2,669


 Total
 24,451
 26,480
 28,623
 28,888



  

 
 2007-08
 2008-09
 2009-10
 2010-11


 
£000
£000
£000
£000


 SCRA Grant in Aid
 24,966
 25,995
 30,733
 28,155


 Support for Hearings and Committees
 328
 770
 770
 770


Training (e.g. Running Costs for theFour Children’s Hearings Training Units)
 1,076
 900
 900
 900


 Legal Representation
 153
 300
 300
 300


 Direct Funding to Local Authorities
 2,272
 2,448
 Not Available2
 Not Available


 Total
 28,795
 31,923
 32,703
 30,125



  Source: Provisional Outturn Budget Estimate (POBE 2008) returns.

  Notes:

  1. To meet accommodation and staff costs in support of children’s panels and Children’s Panel Advisory Committees; also the cost of local training events and expenses relating to attendance at hearings and training. Source: Local Government financial statistics.

  2. These figures are not currently available, as finance return estimates are only available one year in advance. Future direct funding to local authorities in respect of the children’s hearings system will be allocated at the discretion of each local authority, in line with its local priorities and its single outcome agreement with the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding in local government. Over the 2008-11 period, £34.9 billion will be invested; this is a 13.1% increase in funding.

  2008-09: £11.2 billion

  2009-10: £11.6 billion

  2010-11: £12.0 billion.

Dentistry

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many attendances there were at the accident and emergency department of Dundee Dental Hospital in each month since January 2008.

Shona Robison: The information requested has been provided by NHS Tayside and is shown in the following table. The figures cover complete months from January to October 2008.

  

 Month
 Attendances


 January
 634


 February
 752


 March
 727


 April
 799


 May
 689


 June
 784


 July
 800


 August
 686


 September
 743


 October
 770


 Total
 7,384



  Source: Medical Records at Dundee Dental Hospital and School.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the European Commission regarding the future of ferry services from Gourock to Dunoon and, if so, what these representations were and whether responses have been received from the European Commission.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains committed to a town centre to town centre vehicle and passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon.

Stewart Stevenson: Relations with the European Commission are a reserved matter. Consequently, formal exchanges with the Commission regarding their investigation are for the UK authorities rather than the Scottish Government. In these circumstances, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on representation made to the Commission, or to speculate about the likely outcome. The Scottish Government can confirm however that it will continue to stress its preference for a passenger and vehicle ferry service on the town centre to town centre route.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replace the existing 35-year-old vessel used on the route between Gourock and Dunoon.

Stewart Stevenson: Until such time as a decision has been reached on the future of this route it would be premature to make any decisions on possible vessel solutions. An announcement about the way forward will be made as soon as practicable.

First Minister

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the First Minister has had with (a) Sir George Mathewson, (b) Sir Tom Farmer, (c) Brian Souter and (d) Crawford Beveridge since May 2007; what subjects were discussed, and who else was present in each case.

John Swinney: Since May 2007, the First Minister has met with Sir George Mathewson, Sir Tom Farmer, Brian Souter and Crawford Beveridge on the following occasions:

  Sir George Mathewson:

  29 June 2007:

  Dinner to mark the official opening of the Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen. No record of discussion. Attendees were Sir Sean and Lady Connery, Lady Mathewson, Sir Tom and Lady Farmer, Sir David Murray and fiancée, Mr and Mrs Alex Fergusson, Mr and Mrs Brian Souter, Mr and Mrs Crawford Beveridge, Ms Alison Duncan

  20 September 2007:

  Council of Economic Advisors dinner. No record of discussion. Attendees were Professor Frances Ruane, Sir James Mirrlees and Lady Mirrlees, Professor John Kay, Crawford Beveridge, Jennifer Erickson, Permanent Secretary and a private secretary.

  21 September 2007:

  Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included the remit and working of the Council of Economic Advisors; the Scottish economy; the Government Economic Strategy; the planning system and economic development, and the council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was present, together with other Council members and Scottish Government officials.

  8 February 2008:

  Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included the Scottish Budget and delivering the Scottish Government’s purpose; an update on the Scottish economy; achieving the 2011 growth target; productivity, and the council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was present, together with other Council members and Scottish Government officials.

  21 February 2008:

  Chinese Lantern Festival. Public event.

  13 June 2008:

  Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included an update on the Scottish economy; education, skills and lifelong learning; achieving the 2011 targets on emissions and growth; the annual report and the council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was present, together with other council members and Scottish Government officials.

  13 October 2008:

  Council of Economic Advisors Meeting. Topics discussed included an update on the Scottish economy, the proposed Lloyds-TSB takeover of HBOS, The council’s first annual report, and the council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning were present, together with other council members and Scottish Government officials.

  Sir Tom Farmer:

  29 June 2007:

  Dinner to mark the official opening of the Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen. No record of discussion. Attendees were Sir Sean and Lady Connery, Sir George and Lady Mathewson, Lady Farmer, Sir David Murray and fiancée, Mr and Mrs Alex Fergusson, Mr and Mrs Brian Souter, Mr and Mrs Crawford Beveridge, Ms Alison Duncan.

  5 July 2007:

  Installation of Sir Tom Farmer as Chancellor of Queen Margaret University. Public event.

  31 July 2007:

  Dinner with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and Norman Drummond to discuss mapping of young people in need of more choices and chances. Private secretary present.

  2 October 2007

  Meeting to discuss Project Scotland. Julia Ogilvy of Project Scotland and two private secretaries present.

  Brian Souter:

  29 June 2007:

  Dinner to mark the official opening of the Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen. No record of discussion. Attendees were Sir Sean and Lady Connery, Sir George and Lady Mathewson, Sir Tom and Lady Farmer, Sir David Murray and fiancée, Mr and Mrs Alex Fergusson, Mrs Brian Souter, Mr and Mrs Crawford Beveridge, Ms Alison Duncan.

  Crawford Beveridge:

  30 May 2007:

  Meeting to discuss the establishment of the Council of Economic Advisors. Private Secretary and special advisor present

  29 June 2007:

  Dinner to mark the official opening of the Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen. No record of discussion. Attendees were Sir Sean and Lady Connery, Sir George and Lady Mathewson, Sir Tom and Lady Farmer, Sir David Murray and fiancée, Mr and Mrs Alex Fergusson, Mr and Mrs Brian Souter, Mrs Crawford Beveridge, Ms Alison Duncan.

  20 September 2007:

  Council of Economic Advisors dinner. No record of discussion. Attendees were Professor Frances Ruane, Sir James Mirrlees and Lady Mirrlees, Professor John Kay, Sir George Mathewson, Jennifer Erickson, Permanent Secretary and a private secretary.

  21 September 2007:

  Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included the remit and working of the Council of Economic Advisors; the Scottish economy; the Government Economic Strategy; the planning system and economic development, and the council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was present, together with other council members and Scottish Government officials.

  8 February 2008: Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included the Scottish Budget and delivering the Scottish Government’s purpose; an update on the Scottish economy; achieving the 2011 growth target; productivity, and the Council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was present, together with other council members and Scottish Government officials.

  13 June 2008:

  Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included an update on the Scottish economy; education, skills and lifelong learning; achieving the 2011 targets on emissions and growth, and the annual report and the council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was present, together with other council members and Scottish Government officials.

  13 October 2008:

  Council of Economic Advisors meeting. Topics discussed included an update on the Scottish economy; the proposed Lloyds-TSB takeover of HBOS; the council’s first annual report, and the Council’s future work programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning were present, together with other council members and Scottish Government officials.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14713 by Shona Robison on 22 July 2008, whether the supply of lightweight oxygen cylinders for domiciliary use has been fully restored and, if not, when it will be.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has been working closely with the portable oxygen supplier, BOC, to monitor progress towards resolving the current shortages in the availability of lightweight DD cylinders. BOC’s most recent report, for the period up to the end of October, indicates that good progress continues to be made. Stock levels continue to improve - the number of DD cylinders being delivered to Scotland has increased from a low of just under 2,700 in April to over 4,500 in October. BOC have informed the Scottish Government that they estimate that unrestricted supplies will be available early in the new year. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14712 by Shona Robison on 22 July 2008, when its review of the domiciliary oxygen therapy service will be completed and published and when any resulting decisions will be announced.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15298 on 21 August 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what decisions have been taken in relation to screening for haemoglobinopathies in the first 10 days of life.

Shona Robison: On 11 July 2008, CEL (2008) 31 letter was issued to all NHS boards setting out the Changes to the Pregnancy and Newborn Screening Programmes  including screening for haemoglobinopathies. This information is available via:

  http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/details.asp?PublicationID=2656.

Lifelong Learning

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors changes in the skills needed to support economic development (a) nationally and (b) in local areas.

Fiona Hyslop: Futureskills Scotland undertakes a biennial large scale survey of the skills needs of Scottish employers which supports the detailed sectoral labour market information and intelligence carried out by the Sector Skills Councils.

  Scotland’s Further and Higher Education institutions also engage with employers on curriculum design, work placements and quality enhancement and are working to further ensure that employers are able to recruit graduates with a key base of work related core skills.

  In addition, the national economic development agencies, Skills Development Scotland and the Business Gateway service work closely with employers to understand their needs.

Marine Protection

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the establishment of a marine protection area on Loch Sunart and on Loch Etive.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises the important natural features of Loch Sunart and Loch Etive. In order to protect this important natural resource both Loch Sunart and Loch Etive are already subject to varying levels of protection. Loch Sunart has been designated as a marine special area of conservation under the EC Habitats Directive for reef and otters. Additionally both sites are Scottish Natural Heritage marine consultation areas which means that they are considered sensitive areas.

  Proposals for a new type of marine protected area were included in the Marine Bill consultation document Sustainable Seas for All along with proposals for a new system of marine planning and improvements to licensing. The consultation has now closed and the Scottish Government is currently analysing responses.

Ministerial Costs

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances it meets dry cleaning costs incurred by Cabinet ministers and whether it will detail any such costs met since May 2007, broken down by Cabinet minister.

John Swinney: There have been no dry cleaning costs incurred by Cabinet ministers since May 2007.

Ministerial Meetings

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17101 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 November 2008, whether it will list each occasion on which Scottish ministers have met the British Transport Police since May 2007, also showing what topics were discussed and who was present on each occasion.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers have met British Transport Police (BTP) on the following occasions:

  

 Meeting Date
 Present
 Topics


 12 September 2007 
 Scottish Government: Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure; Heather Battson. BTP: David McCall
 Introductory meeting.


 21 January 2008
 Scottish Government: Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice; Christie Smith; David Binnie; Fiona Page. BTP/A: Richard Hemmings; James King; David McCall.
 Stop and Search, Section 44 Terrorism Act


 30 April 2008
 Scottish Government: Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice; Elizabeth Sadler; Fiona Page; David Binnie. BTP/A: Alastair Graham; Richard Hemmings; James King; David McCall. 
 Follow up meeting on Stop and Search, Section 44 Terrorism Act


 27 June 2008
 Scottish Government: Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice; Mary Keane. BTP: Ronnie Mellis; Vincent Smith and other BTP officers.
 Visit to Glasgow Central station to witness Operation Shield


 23 July 2008
 Scottish Government: Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety; Dawn Macklin. BTP: BTP officers. 
 Network Rail "no messin" event in Alloa.


 1 October 2008
 Scottish Government: Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure; Heather Battson. BTP/A: Richard Hemmings; James King; Ian Johnston; George McGregor (Politics International for BTPA).
 Range of topics of common interest relating to safety of the railway.

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its policy on publishing answers to parliamentary questions, with particular regard to the media.

Bruce Crawford: The Parliament is responsible for formally publishing answers to parliamentary questions, which appear on its website. With regard to the media, the Scottish Government established a process shortly after the creation of the Scottish Parliament where all parliamentary questions answered that day are forwarded to an e-mail distribution list of journalists who have asked to receive the information but only after they have been sent to MSPs.

Post Offices

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to examine whether Essex County Council’s scheme of support to post offices might be replicated in Scotland.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government recognises the valuable social role of post offices, particularly in deprived and remote areas of Scotland. Due to their reserved nature, postal services and post offices cannot be directly funded by Scottish ministers. I understand that a number of Scottish councils have been considering the Essex County Council model, under the relevant statutory provisions. The model used by Essex County Council ensures funding is state aid compliant. The Scottish Government’s position on this issue was set out in the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth’s letter, dated 29 January 2008, to the Public Petitions Committee of the Parliament. A copy is available using the following link:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/petitions/petitionsubmissions/sub-08/08-PE1102D.pdf.

  Any proposal to alter the functions of Scottish local government, as I understand is proposed by Essex County Council in their publication Counter Measures: A new vision for local postal services, would require discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Rail Network

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is prepared to support the Glasgow Crossrail project.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers are currently considering the emerging findings from the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). The Review will set out national investment priorities for 2012 to 2022. Glasgow Crossrail is being considered as part of this process. An announcement is expected later in the year which sets out recommendations on a portfolio of land based transport proposals that will contribute to the government’s purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.

Renewable Energy

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review and monitor whether the refurbishing of hydroelectric stations eligible for accreditation under the renewables obligation Scotland scheme offers best value for consumers, given that the full costs of refurbishment have been recouped.

Jim Mather: The owners and operators of hydro plant in Scotland have invested in excess of £300 million since 2002 in refurbishing and extending the life of hydro electric capacity. This investment has been made on the basis that such capacity would remain eligible under the Renewable Obligation Scotland. As such, we have no plans to review that eligibility.

Renewable Energy

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposed high voltage direct current sub sea cable for transmitting electricity from the Shetland Islands to the mainland to allow connection of future renewable developments on the islands.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available for the construction of the proposed high voltage direct current sub sea cable for transmitting electricity from the Shetland Islands to the mainland.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the power-generation industry concerning the feasibility of proposed infrastructure development to connect the Shetland Islands and other Scottish islands with significant renewable energy potential to the mainland grid system, in light of targets for cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with National Grid Electricity Transmission concerning connections from Scottish islands to the GB transmission system.

Jim Mather: Scottish ministers are committed to ensuring a diverse, sustainable and secure energy supply for Scotland’s energy needs, and to meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions and tackling the challenge of climate change. Both existing and new renewable energy will play roles in this.

  We recognise there are constraints in grid capacity and management that need to be addressed, including developing appropriate transmission infrastructure for the Shetland Islands and other Scottish islands. We are clear that the current transmission arrangements work against the development of renewable and clean energy in communities across Scotland. We therefore believe that grid reinforcement is necessary to enable Scotland to fully realise our renewable energy potential and improved connectivity for the highlands and islands will be key to achieving this.

  While responsibility for policy on the transmission network is a matter primarily for the UK Government, we are in continuous discussions with the UK Government, National Grid and Ofgem as well as the Scottish transmission system owners on a wide range of grid related issues, including connection of island communities to the electricity distribution network. This includes participation in the current review of grid access arrangements. As developing and funding transmission infrastructure is a commercial matter for the energy industry we are also in ongoing engagement with Scottish electricity companies on their planned and future investment plans for grid development across Scotland.

Research and Development

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would need to spend in 2009-10 to ensure that Scotland would be in the top quartile of OECD countries for national investment in research, development and innovation.

Jim Mather: International comparable data on research and development spend does not include expenditure relating to innovation; however figures on gross research and development expenditure (GERD) as a percentage of GDP are available. Estimating the required investment to reach the top quartile in 2009-10 would require forecasts of all OECD countries’ expenditure and GDP; however these forecasts are currently not available and therefore figures will be based on the most recent data, which are for 2005.

  In 2005 Scottish GERD was £1,582 million and represented 1.61% of GDP. In order to reach the top quartile of OECD countries GERD spend would have to increase to over 2.48% of GDP which would be equivalent to a GERD spend of £2,447 million. This would require a 55% increase in GERD spend from the 2005 levels. GERD comprises investment by government, higher education and businesses, and Scotland is currently in the top quartile for higher education and government research and development expenditure and in the third quartile for business research and development expenditure.

  Research and development is measured using internationally agreed standards defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This approach is heavily focused on investment in scientific and technological invention and does not capture the broader innovation activity that takes place in many sectors of the Scottish economy. For example, the top four sectors in terms of business expenditure on research and development (BERD) account for 78 per cent of BERD in Scotland; however these industries only contribute around 3 per cent to Scotland’s GVA. Therefore, it is important to note that this excludes investment relating to innovation.

Roads

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many written submissions to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route public local inquiry were rejected because they were deemed outwith the scope of the inquiry; how many of these were from (a) individuals and (b) organisations, and whether it will list these organisations.

Stewart Stevenson: The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals have not rejected any written representations made in respect of the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. The eeporters, who have been appointed by Scottish ministers, will only consider written representations that fall within the remit of the public local inquiry and the terms of their appointment in their report and recommendations to Scottish ministers.

Roads

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the importance of strengthening links between southern Ayrshire and the M74 as part of the National Planning Framework 2.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is taking careful account of representations from Ayrshire in preparing a Proposed National Planning Framework and the Strategic Transport Projects Review is considering the need for improved strategic road and rail links to enhance the connectivity from Ayrshire to Glasgow and the rest of Scotland as well as links to the South.

Transport

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change last met representatives of NESTRANS and whether the Aberdeen Crossrail project was discussed on that occasion.

Stewart Stevenson: I last met with representatives of NESTRANS on 29 September 2008 as part of a broader meeting with regional transport partnership chairs. Aberdeen Crossrail was not discussed

Voluntary Organisations

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received since May 2007 from charities and voluntary organisations regarding the operation of charity law in relation to private schools.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has not had any representation from charities or voluntary organisations since May 2007 regarding the operation of charity law in relation to private schools.